Mechanical toy.



1. W. HART.

MECHANICAL TOY.

APPLICATION FILED a-uNEzs. Isle.

' Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEE I.

WITN EssEs WZ, INVEN-I-ORl ATTORNEY Al. W. HART.

MECHANICAL ToY. APPLICATION FILED lUNE23| |916.

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UNTED STATES PTENT FFICE.

JOHN WILEY HART, F IOLA, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR-OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES WABING WlLG-US, OE IOLA, KANSAS, KANSAS.

MECHANICAL TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Appncation ined June 2s, 191e. serial Ne. 105,475.

To all w/iom 'it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN l/V. HART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Iola, in the county of Allen and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Mechanical Toy, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved mechanical toy, of that type wherein one or more figures are caused to dance or vibrate.

An object of this invention is to provide a mechanical toy of this character, which may he used as a display-window advertisement, as a phonograph attachment, and which may be used by itself as an amusement device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toy of this character with one or more detachable and adjustable figures, which are peculiarly and freely suspended to turn in -either direction, completely around, or to any extent, and which may be moved fully or part way back and forth and across the stage, to more nearly simulate the natural movements of dancers, and animals, to provide the toy with a vibrating platform to jar or vibrate the ligure, or figures; with a detachable supporting and guiding top to permit the changing of the top to vary the general movements of the figures; and to provide the figures with articulated legs, the lower sections of which are permitted to swing in one direction only, and wherein one leg is longer than the other to cause a greater impact on one side of the figure, and eect a change in the position of thel same at each impact of the platform thereagainst.

A further object of the invention is to provide a detachable platform or floorfor f the stage, which permits of the use Vof different platforms, if desired; and to provide a tappet wheel for vibrating the platform, which has arms or projections spaced apart to vibrate or jar the figures according to certain musical time to imitate a waltz, a twostep, or any other type of dance or jig.

AOther objects and advantages of this in vention, as well as the'above, will be clearly brought out in the following specific description of the present preferred embodiment of the invention, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a front elevation of a mechanical toy constructed according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section,

taken substantially centrally through the device. j

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the hood or cap at the upper end of the device, showing the figure supporting top plate and one form of guidingV opening therein.

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view ofra modied form of figure supporting top plate, showing a different form of guiding opening.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary under side plan view of a portion of a further modified form of top plate, showing a still further different form of guiding opening to permit the free turning about of the figure.

Fig. G is a detail enlarged side elevation of one of the legs of the figure, the dotted lines showing the one direction in which the lower section of the leg may be swung.

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken substantially centrally through the lower end of the device, looking forwardly, showing the tappet arm and its means of adjustment, and the tappet or star wheel for actuating the arm. Y i

Fig. 8 is a detail side elevation of a modified form ofthe tappet or star wheel, for vibrating the figures in waltz time.

Referring to this drawing, the mechanical toy is shown as having a hollow base made upc-f a lower section 10 and an upper section 11. IThe lower section 10 -has an upstanding flange 12 adapted to fit into the lower end of the section 11 to hold the scctions in registry. Hoo-ks 13, or the like, may be employed for holding the sections 10 and 11 together. Y

The upper 'section 10 has a fla-t top, and is adapted to support thereon a removable stage floor or platform 14. The platform 14 is provided preferably at its central portion with a depending post 15, which passes down through the top of the section 11, and through a guiding block 16, the .post 15 being o-f greater length than the combined thicknesses of the top of the section 11 and the guiding block 16, to project the post 15 below the blocki16 when the platform is lowered. A cushion strip 17 is cemented, or otherwise suitably secured, to the top of the base beneath the platform 14.

To vertically vibrate the platform 14, the base islprovided with mechanism, which is preferably secured in the top section 11. In the present instance/this mechanism com-l to be turned thereby.

prises a tappet arm 18 hinged at one end, as at 19, to one end of the section 11, and eX- Jtending near its opposite end across the un der side of the block 16, and slightly beyond the latter. A pad or cushion 20 is secured to the upper face of the arm 18 immediately beneath the block 16 to deaden the impact between the arm, and the block and the post 15. A shaft 21 is mounted in the Vbase and may be turned in any suitable manner. A spring motor is shown in the present instance for accomplishing this result. A tappet or star wheel 23 is fixed on the shaft 21 ln Fig. 'T the tappet wheel 23 is provided with equi-distantly spaced apart radial arms 24, which project into the path of the outer end of the tappet arm 18. The tappet wheel 28 is turned in a direction to draw the free end of the arm 18 down away from the post 15 and to inter mittently free the arm to permit it to rise. A spring 25 is suitably secured at one end to the tappet arm 18, and has its opposite end connected to an eyeebolt 2G, the latter project ing through the end of the section 1l above the hinge 19, and being provided Ywith a thumb nut 2T bearing against the outer side of the section l1, and adapted to be turned to adjust the eye-bolt '26, and vary the tensionof the spring The sprinO' 25 raisesthe arm 18 against the lower end of the post 15 to strike the latter and jar or vibrate the platform 14 upwardly.

In Fig. 8, there is shown a modified form of tappet wheel 23a. The wheel 23a has radial arms 24a, which are arranged in groups, each having three arms equi-distantly spaced apart to impart a vibratory movement to the arm 18 according to waltz time.

The top of the section 11 is provided, across its ends and rear edge, with an upstanding flange 28, the same defining the depth and width of the stage which is mounted on the base. Arsuitable screen 29, conforming in shape to the flange 28, is tted at its lower end against the inner side thereof, the platform 14 having this general configuration and being reduced sufliciently to permit the fitting of the screen 29 against the flange, and permit the free vertical movement of the platform.

This screen 29 may be provided upon its inner face with any suitable scene, or fanciful configuration, to set off the stage. A top plate 30 is fitted upon the upper end of the screen 29 and has a marginal flange 31, which ts about the screen to hold the top in place, and which may be given a fanciful configuration at the front of the stage. The screen 29 is held to the base at its lower' end, and the top 30 is held to the upper end of the screen 29, by la plurality of suitably arranged hooks 32, which preferably detachably hold these parts together. The front of the stage may be closed in by a transparent panel 33, which, as shown, vis preferably detachably mounted.

' @ne or more figures 34 are placed in the inclosed stage, and are detachably connected at their upper ends to springs 35, which depend from the top plate 30. rlhe upper ends of the springs 35 are connected, preferably, j

thus permit the free lateral movement and Y turning of the figures As shown in Fig. 3, the openings 87 may be in the form of a continuous relatively wide slot, through which the one or more eye-bolts 36 employed may freely pass, to carry the figures 34 to different parte` of the stage. The guiding opening 3T in the plate 50, may be a slot of the tortuous forni shown in Fig. 3, the substantially U-shaped slot at 237 in Fig. 4, or may be the separate, rela-- tively large circular apertures, shown at 3T" in Fig. 5. ln all forms of the openings, however, the eye-bolts 36 are free to turn, and to move laterally to at least some extent.' The openings or slots merely provide means for guiding the figures, generally, in predetermined directions.

The figures 34 are suspended over the platform 14, and are provided, in the present instance shown, each with two legs, comprising upper sections 40, and lower sections'41. As shown to advantage in Fig. 6, the upper section 40 is forked, or recessed, at its lower end to provide spaced apart lugs 42 receiving therebetween the upstanding tongue 43 of the lower section 41. The lugs 42 are provided, at their forward edges, with downwardly facing shoulders 44, and the upper end of the section 41 provides a shoulder 45 thereon adapted to engage the shoulder 44, and hold the lower section from swinging forwardly beyond the vertical line of the upper section. f

From Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that one of the legs of each ligure is slightly longer than the opposite leg, and that normally the long leg is in contact with the platform 14. l/Vhen the platform is vi brated, the force of the impact is first taken up by the long leg to transmit a lateral thrust to the figure 24, in addition to its upward jar or movement. This effects a swing ing of the figure about its support, so as to change the position of the ligure upon each impact of the platform 14 thereagainst. The shorter leg takes up the impact after the ylonger leg has been bent, as the result of the vibration of the figure. As the lower iis leg section is heldfrom swinging forwardly from the upper section, the figure receives a relatively hard impact and is thus vibrated to a greater extent than if the legs were free to swing in either direction; and the lower section of the leg is held, at all times, in position to be struck by the platform.

1f a spring motor be employed, such as shown at 22, in the present drawings, the lower section 10 of the base may be slotted, at its upper edge, to permit the projection of the stem or handle 46 of the motor through the base, and permit the winding of the motor without separating thekbase sections. Suitable means may also be provided for starting or stopping the motor. 'In Figs. 1,2 and 3 of the drawings, a lever 41T is shown as being secured against the outer front side of the base. The lever 4T is connected to the outer end of `a stem or pin 4S, which carries a brake shoe 49 on its inner end for engagement with a wheel 50, or other suitable rotating part of the motor. A leaf spring 51 is secured against the outer side of the base and is notched to receive therein the outer end of the lever 47. The spring 5l yieldingly holds the lever 47 in either position; to remove the shoe 49 from the wheel 50, or to hold the shoe in contact therewith.

At one side of the base, and preferably of the upper section 1l, is pivoted a hooked arm 52, adapted to be swung outwardly from one end of the base, and to eX- tend downwardly for engagement over the upper edge of a phonograph cabinet, or the like, when the mechanical toy is to be used in conjunction with the same.

Cushion blocks or strips 53 may be secured across the end of the base to engage the side of the cabinet to prevent injury to the same.

`For the purpose of protecting the upper ends of the eye-bolts 36, a hood or casing 54 is positioned upon the top plate 30, and is of sufficient width and depth to extend over all parts of the openings 37, and permit the free movement of the eye-bolts therein. Posts 55 extend upwardly from the top plate 30, and have threaded upper ends, which project through the top of the hood 54. Detachable binding nuts 56 are mounted on the posts to hold the hood in' place. It is, of course, understood that the above device may be made in various sizes and that one, or more, figures, simulating human dancers, animals, or the like, may be employed to adapt the device to various uses to which it may be applied.

In operation, when the lever 47 is moved into position to release the wheel 50 from contact with the brake shoe 49, the motor operates the tappet or star wheel 23 to vibrate the tappet arm 1S and impart a vertical vibrating movement to the platform 14. The platform strikes the legs of the one or more figures suspended on the stage, and vibrates the figures in the manner above set forth. The vibration of the figures causes the sudden contraction and expansion of the supporting springs 35, and the latter impart a vertical Vibratory movement to the eyebolts 36, which are free to vibrate in the openings 37.

As the figures 34 are given a lateral thrust during vibration, they intermittently turn and advance the eye-bolts 36 in the openings to carry the figures 34 to different parts of the stage and to turn the same about. rlhe eye-bolts 36 may be adjusted vertically by means of the nuts 38, so as to obtain the desired tension on the suppo-rting springs 35, and to accommodate various figures that may be suspended on these springs.

The top plate 30 may be interchanged with other top plates, such as above described, so as to cause the figures to move, generally, in the desired direction, to simulate various dances or jigs.

hat is claimed is l. The combination with a figure, and vibrating means therefor, of a plate provided with guiding means, and a support freely suspended from the plate and having connection with the figure for supporting it, said support being directed into various positions by said guiding means when moved by said vibrating means.

2. rThe combination with a figure and means for vertically vibrating the same, of a support connected at its lower end to the figure, a guiding plate secured above'the figure andhaving a relatively large opening therein to loosely receive the upper end of the support, and retaining means on the support above the plate for Contact therewith to suspend the figure, said opening in the plate admitting of the relatively free turning and lateral movements of the figure and its support.

3. The combination with a vertically vibrating platform, and a figure adapted to be vibrated thereby, of a support connected at its lower end to the figure and adapted to be moved by the vibrations thereof, and a detachable top plate provided with guiding means for engagement with the upper end of the support to permit and generally direct the movements thereof.

4.l The combination with a vertically vibrating platform, of a guiding plate supported above the platform and having a rela-tively wide opening therein, a figure, a spring connected at its lower end to the figure, a relatively thin eye-bolt connected to the upper end of the spring and extending through said opening in the plate, and retaining means adjustably mounted on the upper end of the eye-bolt, and engaging the plate at the opposite sides of the opening to suspend the eye-bolt and vertically adj ust the figure, and to permit the free ver tical vibration and lateral and turning movements of the eyebolt in the opening.

The combination 'with a base, of a screen rising from the base, a top plate detachably fitting over the screen and having an openinvi therein. a su raort de endinO l e; l n

through the opening and adapted for vertical, lateral and turning movements therein, means on the upper end of the support and wider than the said opening to engage the plate and freely suspend the support, a ligure detachably hung upon the lower end of the support, and a vibrating platform detachably mounted on the base within the screen for contact with the ligure to vibrate it and jar the support about in said opening to change the position of the figure.

G. The combination with a base, ofv a screen rising from the base,a top plate detachably fitting over the screen and having a tortuous slot therein, a support depending through the slot and adapted to turn in and travel from end to end-thereof, retaining means on the upper end of the support and.'

wider than the slot to engage the plate and suspend the support, a figure hung upon the lower end of the support, and a vibratingk platform mounted on the base within the screen for Contact with the figure to vibrate the same and move the support along in said opening to carry the ligure to various parts of the stage.

7. The combination with a base, a ligure suspended over the base, and a platform mounted on the base beneath the figure, of a post depending from the platform through the top of the base, a tappet arm hinged in the base for normal contact with the lower end of said post to lift the platform, and a tappet wheel rotating in the base, and having a plurality of radially extending arms spaced apart a predetermined disltance for consecutive contact with said tappet arm to vibrate the same according to the desired musical time.

8. The combination with a vertically vibrating platform, of a ligure suspended over the platform, the figure having pivoted legs adapted to engage the platform at their lower extremities to receive i1npact\ Y. therefrom, one of the pivoted legs being longer than the other to effect a lateral thrust upon the figure and change 'the position of the same at each impact of the platV form thereagainst.

9. The combination' with a vertically vin brating platform, of Va support over the platform, a figure, and means for freely suspending the figure from the support for vertical and lateral movement over the 'platform, the figure having pivoted legs vadapted to be struck on their lower extremities by the platform to vibrate the figure, one of said legs being longer than the other for effecting a lateral thrust upon the figure to turn and laterally move the same upon each impact of the platform. Y

lO. ln a mechanical toy, a vertically vibrating platform, a figure suspended over the platform and having depending legs for contact therewith, one of said legs being longer than the other to effect a lateral thrust of the platform upon the ligure, each of said legs comprising upper and lower sections pif-fondly connected together and having shoulders adapted to abut and hold the lower section from swinging in one direction out of line with the upper section and out of contact with the platform.

1l. ln a mechanical toy, a vertically vibrating platform, a guiding plate securedV above the platform, a figure, a resilient support connected at one end to said ligure and at its opposite ends loosely engaging said guiding plate, said figure being adapted to -be vibrated by said platform and having legs of unequal length, each leg comprising upper and lower sections pivotally connected together, said sections having opposed shoulders at their pivoted ends adapted to abut and hold the lower section from swinging in one direction out of line with the upper section.

ln testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JUHN WlLEY HART.

-Witnesses En J. DUNFEE, A. C. Snarrnn.

Copies of this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

